February 27, 2025
‘The heart attack that saved my life’
A sudden heart attack led Mark Twichel to seek care at Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center. There, an even more dangerous medical condition was discovered.
A former emergency room nurse and current Kaiser Permanente leader, Twichel initially dismissed his symptoms as heartburn.
Mark Twichel has always been a picture of health. From running cross-country in high school to rowing at the University of Michigan and participating in triathlons after college, Twichel has maintained an active lifestyle.
"I did quite a lot of hiking, of course, living in Southern California," he shared.
The unexpected heart attack
One evening — after Twichel had swum half a mile, walked his dogs, and enjoyed a healthy dinner — Twichel experienced a burning sensation in his chest. He initially dismissed it as heartburn, but the pain intensified, and he began sweating and pacing.
"I should have known, as a former emergency department nurse, that those were classic signs and symptoms," he admitted.
His pain subsided, so Twichel waited until the next morning to see a doctor, who advised him to get checked immediately. Twichel arrived at the hospital, where an EKG, or electrocardiogram, revealed that he had experienced a heart attack.
Swift action, expert care, and a supportive recovery
Twichel was admitted to the hospital. His care team discovered severe blockages in his heart. Even more concerning, he had an impending aortic aneurysm — a bulge in his main artery that, if ruptured, can cause death.
Just 3 days later, Twichel underwent a successful triple bypass surgery and aortic aneurysm repair.
"It was the first time in my life that I was on the receiving end of care," Twichel said. "I woke up in the intensive care unit about an hour and a half after the surgery and was up walking in the hallways within 2 hours," he recounted.
Twichel’s recovery continued at home, where he gradually rebuilt his strength. "I started off just walking after surgery, and, over time, I was able to walk 4 to 5 miles every day," he shared. His cardiologist eventually cleared him to return to the gym, where he resumed running on the treadmill and doing resistance training.
Lessons learned
In his current role as quality director for Kaiser Permanente in San Diego County, Twichel’s experience reinforced the importance of seamless, coordinated care.
"Much of my professional work is aimed at removing the barriers that caregivers encounter in their work so that they can deliver the very best safe, high-quality care. And I was the beneficiary of exactly that!" Twichel said. "The continuity and coordination of care — it was exceptional, and it made all the difference in my recovery.”
Twichel’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of getting timely medical intervention. Learn more about cardiac care at Kaiser Permanente.
